Deworming rats

Question
Hello Sandra. I came across an article that says rat owners should deworm rats. Is it advisable? If so how can I do that? One article said that a regular bird wormer could be used. I just wondered. Another question, my boys have dandruff, what can I do to help them? Can a regular mite spray for birds help them with the itching? Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Phoebe

Answer
Hi Phoebe

Never de-worm them yourself.  Endoparasites are not real common in rats anyhow like they are in puppies or even kittens. You can alway bring a stool sample to the vets and the  vet will properly treat your rat if needed and usually metronidazole/Flagyl, or ivermectin, depending on  the type of parasite the rats have.

If they have loose stools mixed with blood, a very noteable distended abdomen, lethargy, rectal prolapse, marked weightloss despite good appetite and severe itching around the rectum that may even result in the rat chewing at it due to severe itching, this can mean endoparasites (worms) and a vet should be contacted.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

As for itching and bird spray, never use sprays around rats. This can be inhaled and cause serious irritation to the lungs that can trigger off a respiratory infection that they are prone to getting.

As for the dandruff, if they are itching and leaving sores and scabs, you can use cortisone cream on the sores and also neosporin ointment if anything looks infected.

Also, adding a bit of olive oil to their diet can aid in dry skin. You can add some olive oil onto a salt free  ritz cracker and they will love you for it for both reasons, relief of itchy dry skin and also for the yummy cracker!  :)

The dandruff, is it on the scalp or the hair shaft?

Please let me know so I can further advise about the dandruff.


Hope this helps


Sandra